So why is good supervision so important? According to the Gallup Organization, the number one reason an employee leaves their job is a poor relationship with their immediate supervisor.

We all agree effective supervisors have a significant impact on the work and morale of their employees. However, often employees are promoted to a supervisory role due to their strong technical expertise. Therefore, it is imperative supervisors strive to develop themselves professionally, combining desirable personal and professional qualities. Like all skills, good supervision can be taught, but it requires both knowledge and experience.

Relationships

Supervisors enhance the work of their employees by taking the time to build real relationships. All of us learn in different ways, with different strengths, needs and motivators. Supervisors who form a strong bond with employees can provide direction and praise that ensure employees feel valued. When employees feel like part of the family, they put greater effort not only into their work, but also into continuing to earn their supervisor’s approval. Seventy percent of the reasons employees leave their jobs are related to factors controllable by their direct supervisor.

Knowledge

All effective supervisors must be knowledgeable. Competent supervisors are experts in their field through continuing personal and professional development, enabling them to provide the necessary guidance. This ensures employee success, as supervisors can help minimize mistakes and failures. In addition to classes we hold throughout the year, SIS has an extensive selection of online training through SIS University, including online classes, open enrollment classes and supervisor-led training. Take the time to use it.

Flexibility

One of the things that remain constant in our industry, and our organization, is change. To continue to innovate, SIS and our employees must continue to evolve. Flexible supervisors not only anticipate these changes, but assist employees in understanding and reacting to them. Flexible supervisors are also inevitably better problem solvers, as they tailor their responses to the specific situation, staying cognizant of the rules, the needs of the employee and the organization.

Trust

Supervisors who do not conduct themselves ethically will never earn the trust of their employees. Similarly, supervisors who never admit or apologize for mistakes are seen as frauds. We all make mistakes, and honesty and transparency goes a long way to overcoming them in the eyes of our follow employees. Supervisors who have earned their employees’ trust are able to uphold individual accountability, set high expectations, encourage appropriate risk taking and guide them through.